Marysol Castro's story begins in the Bronx, where curiosity, sports, and a belief that the world was bigger than her neighborhood set her on an extraordinary path. From earning a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school at age 13 to becoming the first Latina public address announcer in Major League Baseball and the first female announcer in New York Mets history, Marysol has consistently broken barriers while staying true to who she is.

In this conversation, Marysol reflects on growing up Puerto Rican in New York, the transformative power of education, and how being bilingual became one of the greatest assets in her journalism career. She shares candid stories about navigating media as a Latina, facing skepticism and microaggressions, surviving multiple industry layoffs, and reinventing herself again and again as the media landscape evolved. Through it all, sports remained her anchor—a source of discipline, resilience, and community.

Marysol also takes us inside the unforgettable moment she first stepped behind the microphone at Citi Field, becoming a visible symbol of possibility for the next generation. The conversation expands into women's sports, entrepreneurship, representation in media, and the importance of opening doors rather than gatekeeping opportunities. Ultimately, Marysol's story is about persistence, reinvention, and a belief that Latinos have always been part of the American story—and always will be.

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Growing up Puerto Rican in the Bronx

• Receiving a scholarship to attend boarding school at age 13

• Discovering the world beyond New York City

• Sports as a lifelong source of confidence and identity

• Why bilingualism became a career advantage

• The importance of mentors and teachers who believe in you

• Attending the Columbia Journalism School

• Early career lessons in local television news

• Navigating media as a Latina journalist

• Facing and overcoming workplace microaggressions

• Working at Good Morning America, CBS News, and ESPN

• The realities of layoffs and reinvention in media

• Becoming the first Latina public address announcer in Major League Baseball

• Life behind the microphone at New York Mets games

• The cultural significance of baseball for Latino communities

• Why women's sports represent a major growth opportunity

• Building Her Playbook and Lead Off Media

• Latino representation and gatekeeping within media industries

• Creating opportunities for the next generation

Connect with Marysol Castro

• Marysol Castro Official Website

• Marysol Castro on Instagram

• Lead Off Media